City of Davis considers switch to Choice Voting in electionsVoting system allows for ranking of candidates in order of preference

By Courtney BurksPublished October 18th 2005 in The California Aggie

The system of Choice Voting could one day be the new election method for selecting Davis’ elected officials.

A different method of electing local government officials into their
respective positions compared to the traditional ballot, Choice Voting
has been an issue frequently brought up to the city council. With the
upcoming city and state elections on Nov. 8, many citizens are
wondering whether Davis will adopt this unconventional voting practice.

What starts as a simple process for the voter later becomes a more
technical and mathematical approach in order to determine the
candidates elected into office. When voters approach the polls,
computers allow them to rank running candidates in order of preference.

If the voter is uninterested in a certain candidate, Choice Voting
allows them to choose only their ideal official and rank them in order
of preference, something the current voting system does not allow for.

After the total votes have been tallied, the procedure begins. The
number needed to win a seat is calculated by dividing the total votes
by the number of seats possible, plus one. Then, the number one is
added to that total and each candidate who receives that amount of
first-choice votes is automatically elected.

The process is repeated to determine the place of all officials, as a
fraction of each top-ranked candidate’s vote is then transferred to the
voter’s second choice. The process then repeats down the line.

Greg Russell, campaign coordinator for Choice Voting, a city-based
group that would like to see the method put into use, said several
Davis residents feel this system of election would be beneficial for
two main reasons, but also many woman and minority candidates have a
better chance of getting elected into office.

“People will vote honestly for the candidate closest to their
preference,” Russell said. “[And] it ensures proportional
representation.”

UC Davis currently uses Choice Voting in student elections and the
system is believed to benefit independent candidates, such as ASUCD
Senator Keith Shively. Shively personally prefers more traditional
methods of voting, but indeed is in favor of representation.

“Although Choice Voting has no bearing on whether or not I was going to
run for office, I am sure it helped me attain my seat,” Shively said.

City councilmember Stephen Souza said an appointed governance
task force was issued in May 2005 and recommended Choice Voting to be
installed in Davis. Nothing regarding the method will go into effect
for elections in the foreseeable future. The city council does,
however, have the ability to determine the use of Choice Voting at some
point.

“I would like to see a developed timeline with an advisory vote on the
ballot in June 2006,” Souza said. “It then wouldn’t be in effect until
June 2008 when Ruth Asmundson and Ted Puntillo are up for re-election.”

While no immediate decisions will be made to implement the system of
Choice Voting into city elections, residents of Davis will become more
informed of its capabilities up through Nov. 8 and well into the new
year.

As there are mixed feelings among citizens, if implemented, Choice
Voting will serve as a forum for voters of all preferences to
collaborate in learning its techniques.

“[If it is realized], the idea of Choice Voting will grow on the citizens of this cutting-edge city,” Shively said.